Why Ghanaians struggle to break Guinness World Records: Lessons from recent failures

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Ghanaians have always been known for their resilience, determination, and competitive spirit. However, they haven’t achieved much in breaking Guinness World Records. Despite their best efforts, many Ghanaians, like Afua Asantewaa, Chef Smith, and Chef Faila, failed to set new records and make a mark on the international stage.

These attempts have spanned various fields, from singing and speaking to cooking marathons. However, many of these high-profile efforts have ended in disappointment. The latest in a series of such setbacks was Chef Smith’s claim to have broken the record for the longest cooking marathon, only for the announcement to be debunked by Guinness World Records officials.

Adhering to rules

Ghanaian journalist Afua Asantewaa’s attempt to break the record for the longest singing marathon in December 2023 highlights the stringent standards set by Guinness World Records. Despite a gruelling five-day singing marathon, Asantewaa’s attempt fell short due to non-compliance with specific guidelines. According to Guinness World Records, Asantewaa did not adhere to rules regarding rest break timings, a critical aspect of all marathon records.

Alina Polianskaya, a PR executive for Guinness World Records, spoke to Accra-based Joy FM about Afua’s efforts,

“Afua Asantewaa’s singathon attempt was not successful due to guidelines around rest break timings not being met. These rules are standard across our ‘longest marathon’ records.”

Asantewaa’s attempt lasted for five days, six hours, and 55 minutes, beginning at midnight on December 24, 2023, and ending on December 29, 2023. Despite her dedication, her failure to comply with all guidelines meant that her effort could not be recognised.

Similarly, Chef Failatu Abdul-Razak’s attempt at the longest individual cooking marathon also ended in disappointment. Despite extending her marathon from January 1, 2024, to January 10, 2024, and recording 227 hours, her effort was not recognised due to violations of rest break rules. The record set by Irish chef Alan Fisher at 119 hours and 57 minutes remains unchallenged.

The Records Management Team at Guinness World Records cited the violation of rest break rules as the reason for the failure while commending Chef Failatu’s efforts and encouraging her to submit future proposals.  

Adding to the string of controversies, Chef Ebenezer Smith recently claimed to have set a new record for the longest cooking marathon at 802 hours and 25 minutes. 

But Guinness World Records swiftly debunked this claim, confirming that Alan Fisher’s record still stands at 119 hours and 57 minutes.

“To clarify, Ebenezer Smith does not hold the GWR title. The certificate he has shown is not real and has not been sent by Guinness World Records. The current and true holder is Alan Fisher. The longest cooking marathon (individual) is 119 hours, 57 minutes, and 16 seconds and was achieved by Alan Fisher (Ireland) in Matsue, Shimane, Japan, from September 28 to October 3, 2023.” Alina Polianskaya clarified.

GWR email response, Chef’s Smith’s does not hold record for longest cooking marathon

In response to Ghanaians’ backlash after the deceit, Chef Smith issued a public apology, admitting that he made a “grave error in judgement” and expressing his regret for deceiving the public. 

“I don’t deserve to live; I am so sorry, Ghana.”

Despite his apology, Chef Smith’s reputation has been severely tarnished, and it remains to be seen whether he will be able to regain the trust of Ghanaians, including the culinary community.

Regina Adu Safowaah’s Longest Speech Marathon

Another notable attempt was by Ghanaian actress Regina Adu Safowaah, who embarked on a marathon speech to break the record for the longest speech by an individual. Starting on Feb 9, 2024, at the La Palm Royal Hotel, Adu Safowaah aimed for 130 hours, surpassing the previous record of 90 hours and 2 minutes set by Anata Ram KC from Nepal in 2018.

Adu Safowaah completed her attempt on February 15, 2024, delivering her speech in English, Twi, and French. After five months, we still await official confirmation from Guinness World Records. However, her attempt serves as a testament to the meticulous planning and execution required to meet the rigorous standards of such records. 

GWR deactivates cook-a-thon category

The cook-a-thon category has been deactivated on the Guinness World Records website.

This new development surprises Ghanaians as they hope GWR officially announces Chef Smith as the new record holder.

A search on the website indicates that the category is no longer active.

See the result of the search below:

The challenges of breaking Guinness World Records

The repeated failures of Ghanaian attempts to break Guinness World Records can be attributed to several factors:

Compared to countries with dedicated teams and organisations that help individuals in their record-breaking attempts, Ghanaians often rely on their resources and networks. This can make it challenging for them to access the necessary tools, equipment, and expertise to break a record successfully.

Many current record holders had trained for years, honing their skills and pushing themselves to the limit. In contrast, Ghanaians lack sufficient training to compete with the best in the world.

Stringent Guidelines and Verification Processes

The Guinness Book of World Records sets meticulous rules and documentation requirements for all record attempts. These guidelines ensure fairness and consistency across all records but also present significant challenges for aspirants. Common areas where attempts fall short include:

Precise Measurement: Accurate and consistent measurement of the activity is crucial. Any discrepancies can lead to disqualification.

Continuous Activity Logs: Detailed logs must be maintained to document the nature of the activity, including rest breaks and activity intervals.

Independent Verification: Independent witnesses and verifiers are often required to ensure the credibility of the attempt.

Rigorous Planning and Execution: Successful record attempts require thorough planning and execution. This includes understanding and adhering to all guidelines, preparing for contingencies, and ensuring all documentation and evidence are meticulously maintained.

National pride and local support

While national pride fuels these ambitious attempts, meeting the global standards of Guinness World Records often proves daunting. The excitement and support from the local community can sometimes overshadow the need for strict adherence to the rules.

According to clinical psychologist Dr Newman Arthur, 

“With the right resources, support, and mindset, Ghanaians can overcome their challenges and start making their mark on the international stage. Ghanaians need to believe in themselves and their abilities and not let fear of failure hold them back from achieving their goals.

“With the right mindset and support system in place, Ghanaians can overcome their struggles and start breaking Guinness world records,” Arthur said.

Past Ghana’s successful GWR holders 

Despite several unsuccessful attempts by other Ghanaians, some individuals have succeeded in raising the flag of the motherland high by setting impressive Guinness World Records. Since 1983, Ghana has been proudly represented in the Guinness Book of Records annals. 

Ferdie Ato Adoboe, a Ghanaian athlete born and raised in Ghana before moving to the US in 1981, became the fastest human to sprint the 100m dash backwards. He set this record in 1983 with 12.7 seconds and improved it to 13.6 seconds in 1991 at Smith College, Northampton, MA. According to Ghanaian museums, Ferdie holds four Guinness World Records. He is also an accomplished professional with a career spanning four continents.

Another notable record-holder is Dickson Oppong, nicknamed “Waterman.” He set the Guinness World Record for the longest time to spray water uninterruptedly from his mouth, achieving an impressive 32.65 seconds.

In 2011, Daniel Ashitey Amarh and Richard Mensah Ofori entered the Guinness Book of Records. On April 27, 2011, they recorded the fastest time to walk over ten obstacles while carrying a person on their head (standing on one foot) in 21.83 seconds on the set of Lo Show Dei Record in Milan, Italy.

Abdul Rashid left an indelible mark in percussion by setting a Guinness World Record for the longest continuous drumming in 2009. His rhythmic prowess allowed him to drum for an astonishing 123 hours and 30 minutes.

Fast-rising Ghanaian powerlifter Evans Aryee, based in Belgium, is a three-time Guinness World Record holder. He currently holds the record for the fastest 400kg incline frame carry over 10 meters in 8.07 seconds, achieved on the Lo Show Dei Record set in Milan, Italy, on January 26, 2024. Evans broke his record at 7.89 seconds against a Dutch challenger on January 29, 2024, and set a new record for the most reps (9) in throne deadlifts, totalling 1000 kg.

Just last month, Abubakar Tahiru, a Ghanaian studying forestry at Auburn University in the US, engraved his name as a Guinness World Record holder. He set the record for the most trees hugged by an individual in one hour.

The most recent Ghanaian to be recognised by the Guinness World Records is one-year-old Ace Liam. Ace set the record for the youngest male artist, ending the reign of Dante Lamb, a three-year-old who had reportedly held the title since 2003. Ace achieved this record in Accra between January 18 and January 20, 2024.

Our fellow produced this explainer as part of the requirements of the DUBAWA 2024 Kwame KariKari Fellowship in partnership with Asaase Radio, Ghana.